Fix You

Chapter Two

"We speak not only to tell other people what we think, but to tell ourselves what we think. Speech is a part of thought."

It was their first day of working together. Maine wheeled Richard out in the garden to do some simple exercises. Based on his chart, Richard could actually walk but his gait was still unsteady. She parked the wheelchair under a tree and took out three stress balls the size of a tennis ball, in colors yellow, red and blue.

Now that it was broad daylight, Maine belatedly realized how handsome her patient was. He was fair-skinned, with eyes framed by thick lashes and well arched brows, a high-bridged nose and a cleft on his chin. He was staring straight ahead but still blankly, expressionless.

"We're going to be good friends, Richard. You'll see. See this?" She raises the blue stress ball. "I want you to squeeze the ball, ok?" She takes his hand and closes it over the ball. After several tries, her patience is rewarded by a weak squeeze in his right hand. They do the same with his left hand, and again, he responds to her prodding.

"Richard!"

A girl around her age was running toward them, dressed in a loose white shirt, jeans and sneakers. While dressed casually, she exuded grace and charm, her long hair tied back in a ponytail. She was pretty with barely any make-up on.

Upon reaching them, the girl leaned over and kissed Richard full on the lips, kissing him again when he didn't respond. She looked at him with tears in her yes, holding on to his hand.

"Say something Rich. Please, say something." She pleaded with him but to no avail.

Maine was too surprised to react. She was observing her patient, noticing his left hand clenched into a fist. For the first time, his face registered emotion, he looked angry. Only his eyes changed, but it was enough.

"Miss? I think you're upsetting my patient. We don't allow visitors on weekdays."

"I'm sorry, it's been so long since I last saw him. My name is Rhiann, I'm Richard's girlfriend."

"Rhiann, nice to meet you. I'm Maine, I'm an intern here at White Cross. I'm sorry though, you'll have to leave. Richard isn't ready to mingle yet, and to be honest he seems upset by your presence."

At this Rhiann hugs Richard, kissing his cheek, sobbing. Maine wanted to break them apart but saw Richard's hand moving up slowly. He stroked Rhiann's back, awkwardly. His face was filled with conflicting emotions, it seemed he was torn between anger and pity for the girl.

His hand left Rhiann's back and clenched again. His chest started to heave. It was like he was trying to hold back his anger.

"ALIS."

One word, said slowly through clenched teeth, almost like a groan. His face was flushed with anger, avoiding Rhiann's attempt to touch his face. Maine pulled Rhiann away from Richard, trying to soften the blow by tapping her on the shoulders.

"He'll be ok, don't worry."

"Please forgive me, Rich, please."

"I'm sorry but you have to leave now. "

Crestfallen, Rhiann walked away defeatedly.